Detection of Antibiotic Resistance in Feline-Origin ESBL Escherichia coli from Different Areas of China and the Resistance Elimination of Garlic Oil to Cefquinome on ESBL E. coli.

The development of drug-resistance in the opportunistic pathogen Escherichia coli has become a global public health concern. Due to the share of similar flora between pets and their owners, the detection of pet-origin antibiotic-resistant E. coli is necessary. This study aimed to detect the prevalence of feline-origin ESBL E. coli in China and to explore the resistance elimination effect of garlic oil to cefquinome on ESBL E. coli. Cat fecal samples were collected from animal hospitals. The E. coli isolates were separated and purified by indicator media and polymerase chain reaction (PCR). ESBL genes were detected by PCR and Sanger sequencing. The MICs were determined. The synergistic effect of garlic oil and cefquinome against ESBL E. coli was investigated by checkerboard assays, time-kill and growth curves, drug-resistance curves, PI and NPN staining, and a scanning electronic microscope. A total of 80 E. coli strains were isolated from 101 fecal samples. The rate of ESBL E. coli was 52.5% (42/80). The prevailing ESBL genotypes in China were CTX-M-1, CTX-M-14, and TEM-116. In ESBL E. coli, garlic oil increased the susceptibility to cefquinome with FICIs from 0.2 to 0.7 and enhanced the killing effect of cefquinome with membrane destruction. Resistance to cefquinome decreased with treatment of garlic oil after 15 generations. Our study indicates that ESBL E. coli has been detected in cats kept as pets. The sensitivity of ESBL E. coli to cefquinome was enhanced by garlic oil, indicating that garlic oil may be a potential antibiotic enhancer.

Uptake of atrazine in a paddy crop activates an epigenetic mechanism for degrading the pesticide in plants and environment.

There is a rising public concern on accumulation of harmful pesticides in environment and crops. Epigenetic alteration caused by environmental contaminants is one of the key factors in the etiology of environmentally-associated diseases. Growing evidence shows that harmful pesticide atrazine (ATZ) has a profound effect on DNA methylation in human genome, however, little is known about the epigenetic mechanism underlying ATZ accumulation and degradation in plants, particularly in edible plants growing in the ATZ-contaminated areas. This study investigated the atrazine elimination that was mediated by DNA methylation and histone modification in the food crop rice. Studies with two mutant Osmet1-1/2 defective in the genomic CG DNA methylation show significantly lower accumulation of atrazine than its wild-types. Profiling methylome and transcriptome of ATZ-exposed Osmet1 and wild-type identified many differentially methylated loci (≥2 fold change, p < 0.05), which were associated with activation of genes responsible for atrazine degradation in plants. Three demethylated loci OsGTF, OsHPL1 and OsGLH were expressed in eukaryotic yeast cells and found to eliminate a marked proportion of ATZ in growth environments by 48%, 43% and 32%, respectively, whereas the increased ATZ-degraded products were characterized using UPLC/Q-TOF-MS/MS. These results suggest that activation of the loci mediated by ATZ-induced hypomethylation could be responsible for the removal of ATZ in rice. Our work helps understand a new regulatory mechanism underlying the atrazine degradation in crops which may potentially reduce the environmental risks to human health through food chain.

Biodegrading Two Pesticide Residues in Paddy Plants and the Environment by a Genetically Engineered Approach.

Accumulating pesticide (and herbicide) residues in soils have become a serious environmental problem. This study focused on identifying the removal of two widely used pesticides, isoproturon (IPU) and acetochlor (ACT), by a genetically developed paddy (or rice) plant overexpressing an uncharacterized glycosyltransferase (IRGT1). IRGT1 conferred plant resistance to isoproturon-acetochlor, which was manifested by attenuated cellular injury and alleviated toxicity of rice under isoproturon-acetochlor stress. A short-term study showed that IRGT1-transformed lines removed 33.3-48.3% of isoproturon and 39.8-53.5% of acetochlor from the growth medium, with only 59.5-72.1 and 58.9-70.4% of the isoproturon and acetochlor remaining in the plants compared with the levels in untransformed rice. This phenotype was confirmed by IRGT1-expression in yeast ( Pichia pastoris) which grew better and contained less isoproturon-acetochlor than the control cells. A long-term study showed that isoproturon-acetochlor concentrations at all developmental stages were significantly lower in the transformed rice, which contain only 59.3-69.2% (isoproturon) and 51.7-57.4% (acetochlor) of the levels in wild type. In contrast, UPLC-Q-TOF-MS/MS analysis revealed that more isoproturon-acetochlor metabolites were detected in the transformed rice. Sixteen metabolites of isoproturon and 19 metabolites of acetochlor were characterized in rice for Phase I reactions, and 9 isoproturon and 13 acetochlor conjugates were characterized for Phase II reactions in rice; of these, 7 isoproturon and 6 acetochlor metabolites and conjugates were reported in plants for the first time.

[Vertical gradients of water supply and demand in Taihang Mountains, China]. / å¤ªè¡Œå±±åŒºæ°´èµ„æºä¾›éœ€å ³ç³»çš„åž‚ç›´æ¢¯åº¦ç‰¹å¾.

Taihang Mountains plays a key role in water supply for the North China Plain, even though it has the ecological disadvantages of less water and soil. Research on the vertical characteri-stics of water supply and demand in Taihang Mountains is beneficial for the sustainable management of the mountain ecosystem. Here, we quantitatively evaluated water provision in the Taihang Mountains using remote sensing data and InVEST model. Water consumption was calculated according to the index of per capita comprehensive water use in different areas. The supply and benefit areas were scientifically demarcated based on water supply to demand ratios at different altitudes. The results showed that, from 2005 to 2014, the average volume of water yield and water consumption were 65.94×108 and 45.32×108 m3, respectively, with a surplus water volume of 20.62×108 m3. On the county and catchment scales, there were water shortages in the low-altitude peripheral areas of the Taihang Mountains. However, the water shortage problem was inconspicuous for the overall mountain area, with a water supply to demand ratio of 1.53. Based on the variations in the water supply to demand ratio with respect to altitude, Taihang Mountains could be divided into three vertical bands. Areas with the altitude range of 0-300 m were water recharge areas, which were recommended for development as a complex agroforestry transition zone. Areas with the 300-950 m altitude range were water transfer balance areas, which were suggested as a maintenance zone retaining current levels of water production and consumption. Areas with altitudes greater than 950 m were water spillover areas, which should be designated for water conservation reserves with strict prohibitions regarding destruction.

Effect of childhood trauma on cognitive functions in a sample of Chinese patients with schizophrenia.

In this study, we aimed to determine the influence of various types of childhood trauma (CT) on cognitive functions in Chinese patients presented with schizophrenia. One hundred sixty-two patients were assessed with the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire-Short Form (CTQ-SF) and Repeatable Battery for the Assessment of Neuropsychological Status (RBANS). We investigated the correlations between various types of CT, demographic characteristics, and cognitive functions. Significant negative correlations were observed in physical abuse (PA) and sexual abuse (SA) with the language score (r=-0.190, -0.216, respectively, p<0.05). Similarly, physical neglect (PN) and the total score of CTQ were negatively correlated with the attention score (r=-0.17, -0.206, p<0.05, respectively) as well as the total RBANS score (r=-0.199, -0.223, respectively P<0.05). PN was also negatively correlated with delayed memory (r=-0.167, p<0.05). Regressions analysis indicated significant negative correlations between PN and attention, as well as the cognitive total score (p<0.001). Furthermore, demographic variables (years of education, family income) and clinical characteristics (type of anti-psychotics, duration of illness and times of recurrence) were correlated with cognitive functions. The current study showed that different types of CT could impact specific cognitive functions in Chinese schizophrenia patients. Therefore, we recommend that trauma-focused mental interventions for schizophrenia patients should be developed and routinely offered to patients.

[Ecological effects of soil salinity regulation through saline water irrigation and subsurface drainage in high water table level area.] / 高水位区暗管埋设下土壤盐分适时立体调控的生态效应.

In high water table level area, saline water irrigation in crucial drought periods has been confirmed to have a positive effect to increase crop yield while it may cause soil salt accumulation to have a potential negative effect on next season crop growth. It was supposed that eliminating or reducing this kind of negative effect could ensure a sustainable increase of crop yield under saline water irrigation. Field experiments were completed in a 2year period in Nandagang district in coastal area of Hebei Province. We investigated the dynamic changes of soil salt accumulation under saline water irrigation in dry season, and analyzed the ecological effect of removing soil salt storage by subsurface pipe drainage system in rainy or proper season. The results showed that the soil salinity experienced accumulation-desalinization-secondary accumulation under saline water irrigation in dry season. In the early stage of irrigation, under 1 g·L -1 concentration saline water irrigation treatment, the soil salt load was obviously removed in the layer of 0-50 cm, the soil salinity went up with soil depth, HCO3- content increased whereas other ions contents decreased; under 6 g·L- and 13 g·L-1 concentration saline water irrigation treatments, the soil salt accumulated in the layer of 0-50 cm, the soil salinity went down with soil depth, HCO3-content decreased whereas other ions contents increased. Leaching effect of soil salt under subsurface pipe drainage system during rainy or proper season was significant. The soil desalinization ratio increased with the rainfall strength, ranging from 16.0% to 45.7%. On a yearly scale, the soil salt accumulation under saline water irrigation was lower than that in control area. The wheat yield under saline water irrigation was significantly higher than that in control area, and the yield in the treatment of 1 g·L-1 was highest.

[Using a modified remote sensing imagery for interpreting changes in cultivated saline-alkali land].

This paper developed a new interpretation symbol system for grading and classifying saline-alkali land, using Huanghua, a cosatal city in Hebei Province as a case. The system was developed by inverting remote sensing images from 1992 to 2011 based on site investigation, plant cover characteristics and features of remote sensing images. Combining this interpretation symbol system with supervising classification method, the information on arable land was obtained for the coastal saline-alkali ecosystem of Huanghua City, and the saline-alkali land area, changes in intensity of salinity-alkalinity and spatial distribution from 1992 to 2011 were analyzed. The results showed that salinization of arable land in Huanghua City alleviated from 1992 to 2011. The severely and moderately saline-alkali land area decreased in 2011 compared with 1992, while the non/slightly saline land area increased. The moderately saline-alkali land in southeast transformed to non/slightly saline-alkaline, while the severely saline-alkali land in west of the city far from the coastal zone became moderately saline-alkaline. The center of gravity (CG) of severely and non/slightly saline-alkali land moved closer the coastline, while that of the moderately saline-alkali land moved from southwest coastal line to northwest. Factors influencing changes in arable land within the saline-alkali ecosystem of Huanghua City were climate, hydrology and human activities.

Childhood trauma associates with clinical features of schizophrenia in a sample of Chinese inpatients.

This study examined the association between childhood trauma and clinical features, comorbid anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms, and suicidal and aggressive behaviors in Chinese patients with schizophrenia. The Childhood Trauma Questionnaire - Short Form (CTQ-SF), the Impact of Events Scale - Revised (IES-R), and the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) were administered to 182 Chinese inpatients with schizophrenia. The relationship between the severity and the number of traumic experiences and clinical features were analyzed. Physical neglect (PN) in childhood was reported in 71.7% of this sample, followed by emotional neglect (EN, 58.6%), sexual abuse (SA, 39.9%), emotional abuse (EA, 31.7%) and physical abuse (PA, 22.2%). Significant negative correlations existed between age of onset and the EA scores. Significant positive correlations were found between the subscores of IES-R, STAI and CTQ-SF. Patients with history of suicidal or aggressive behaviors had significantly higher trauma scores than patients without such behaviors. Exposure to childhood trauma is associated with early age of onset, more PTSD and anxiety symptoms, and history of suicidal and aggressive behaviors. A dose-effect may exist between severity, number of trauma experiences, and clinical features.

Childhood trauma associates with clinical features of bipolar disorder in a sample of Chinese patients.

OBJECTIVES: Childhood trauma is a major public health problem which has a long-term consequence, a few studies have examined the relationship between childhood trauma and clinical features of bipolar disorder, most in western culture, with no such studies done in Chinese culture. METHODS: The CTQ-SF was administered to 132 Chinese patients with DSM-IV bipolar disorder. Participants also completed the Childhood Experience of Care and Abuse Questionnaire (CECA.Q), the Impact of Events Scale-Revised (IES-R), and the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI). The CTQ-SF cut-off scores for exposure were used to calculate the prevalence of trauma. The relationship between childhood trauma and clinical features of bipolar disorder were examined. RESULTS: The internal consistency of CTQ-SF was good (Cronbach׳s α=0.826) and four week test-retest reliability was high (r=0.755). 61.4% of this sample reported physical neglect (PN) in childhood, followed by emotional neglect (EN, 49.6%), sexual abuse (SA, 40.5%), emotional abuse (EA, 26.0%) and physical abuse (PA,13.1%). Significant negative correlations existed between age of onset and EA and EN score (r=-0.178~-0.183, p<0.05). Significant positive correlations were observed between EA, CTQ-SF total score and intrusion and hyper-arousal scores of IES-R (r=0.223~0.309, p<0.05). Similarly, significant positive correlations were found between EN, PN, CTQ-SF total and STAI score (r=0.222~0.425, p<0.05). LIMITATIONS: Data on childhood trauma were derived from a retrospective self-report questionnaire without independent corroboration. A number of potential patients (more severe or chronic patients) was excluded because they were either refused to participate or inappropriate to participate in research. CONCLUSIONS: Significant number of subjects in patients with BD reported experience of childhood abuse and neglect. Exposure to childhood trauma is associated with age of onset of illness, co morbid PTSD and anxiety symptoms. To study the pathogenesis of childhood trauma on bipolar disorder and explanation the interaction between childhood trauma and susceptibility genes are proposed.

[The relationship between test anxiety and personality, self-esteem in grade one senior high students].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the relationship between test anxiety and personality, self-esteem in grade one senior high school students. METHODS: Totally 538 senior high school students of grade one were investigated by Test Anxiety Scale (TAS), Eysenck Personality Questionnaire (EPQ) and Self-Esteem Scale (SES) in a Senior High School in Shandong Province. RESULTS: The prevalence of test anxiety among all the surveyed students was rated 65.2%. The Psychoticism (P) (51.60 +/- 9.66) or Neuroticism (N) (51.57 +/- 10.75) factor score of EPQ in students with test anxiety was significantly higher than that in students without test anxiety (48.07 +/- 8.62, 45.65 +/- 10.14) (P < 0.001), while the Extroversion or Introversion (E) score (50.76 +/- 11.09) was on the contrary (53.68 +/- 11.60) (P < 0.01). The total score of TAS was significantly positively related to the P (r = 0.14) and N (r = 0.36) factor score and significantly negatively related to the E factor score of EPQ (r = -0.15) (P < 0.001). The prevalence of test anxiety in introversive students (72.3%) was higher than that in extroversive students (53.2%) (P < 0.05), and that in students with unstable emotion (81.4%) and in students with apparent psychoticism (84.1%) were also higher than that in those with stable emotion (41.0%) and in those without psychoticism (57.7%) (P < 0.01). The total score of SES in students with test anxiety (29.12 +/- 4.41) was significantly lower than that in students without test anxiety (30.29 +/- 4.25) (P < 0.01). The total score of TAS was significantly negatively related to the total score of SES (r = -0.23) (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Test anxiety should be related to the personality and self-esteem, and the prevalence of test anxiety in introversive, unstable emotional, apparent psychoticism or low self-esteem students should be higher.